The 9 Best Microphones For Recording Vocals (Under $1,000)

While the mic you choose will depend on a number of factors – the vocalist’s style, gender, voice quality, the style of music, etc. – there are certain mics that appear over and over in professional studios and are used by top producers.

These mics are proven to deliver outstanding quality vocal tracks, no matter the style of music you are producing.

I’ve included nine of these top mics here which will help you narrow down the dozens of mic choices you face and provide the best microphone within your budget.

Best Microphones For Recording Vocals Under $1,000

Best Mics For Vocals

There are two types of mics that are normally used for vocals – dynamic mics and large diaphragm condenser mics.

The first mics I’ll review are dynamic mics. Dynamic mics tend to be less expensive than condenser mics, and are known for their reliability, long life, and their ability to withstand high volume levels.

We’ll then continue to large diaphragm condenser mics, the gold standard for vocal recording.

Large diaphragm mics are considered more accurate and detailed than dynamic mics and are well-suited to capturing the highest-quality vocal recordings.

Review Criteria

In this article, I’ve reviewed the 9 best microphones for recording vocals that cost under $1,000.

All mics included in my reviews were chosen based on their widespread use and reputation in the professional music community.

I’ve also added my insights gained from 25+ years of experience running a very successful music production company, creating Audio Addiction Music Library, a production music library with global distribution, and recording in major studios.

The 9 Best Microphones For Recording Vocals Under $1,000

The Shure SM57 is probably the most widely used mic in history, and certainly one of the best-selling mics in the world. Shure released the first SM57 in 1965, and it quickly became a go-to mic for guitars, vocals, drums, horns and more.

There are four main reasons it gained in popularity so fast. First, as a dynamic mic, it is capable of withstanding high sound levels that can damage more delicate condenser mics.

Second, it is also built very ruggedly, making it last in the studio for many years despite constant use (and abuse).

Third, the mic just plain sounds good on many different sound sources, but especially on vocals and guitar amps.

And finally, studio owners love them because they are very inexpensive compared to condenser or ribbon mics. The SM57 retails for only about $99.00.

While more known for recording guitars than vocals, the SM57 has been a favored vocal mic for male voices, especially in the rock and pop world.

The SM58 is the sibling to the legendary SM57. It has been another go-to mic since it was introduced in 1966. It is primarily designed for vocal use, both onstage and in the studio.

The main difference between the SM57 and SM58 is that the SM58 has its frequency response tuned especially for vocals. It is designed to cut out low rumble and add a boost in the upper-mid frequencies. The result is a warm detailed sound that makes vocals stand out.

Besides the frequency response, the SM58 has a ball grille which incorporates a built-in wind and pop filter to reduce plosives (pops on p sounds). The SM57 has a smaller grill designed for instrumental recording.

The SM7B is another classic dynamic mic that was originally designed as a mic for spoken word use and has been a standard mic used in radio, post production, and voiceovers for decades. It has recently become a favorite for podcasts.

The AKG C414 is a classic large diaphragm condenser mic that has found its way into most pro studios around the world. First introduced in 1971, countless hit records have been recorded with the mic on both vocal and instrumental tracks. Take a look at the Hit Records Box!

The C414 won Best Mic at the SOS Awards 2011, as well as being designated the 2009 MIX Certified Hit, AES.

One of the main reasons for its continued success is that it is highly versatile. It sounds good on just about any sound source: vocals, strings, drums, guitar, percussion, etc.

I’ve personally used my C414-XLII to record vocals, guitars, dulcimer and percussion for TV commercials, music library tracks and movie scores with great success.

I’ve also used two of them to record acoustic grand piano. The results were smooth, detailed, and accurate – perfect for solo piano compositions.

The C414 XLII uses the CK12 capsule which was derived from their vintage C12 mics, while the XLS uses a newly designed capsule.

The XLII boosts the highs above 3 kHz a bit, giving the sound source a brighter sound. This is great for vocals and results in good presence which cuts through a mix nicely.

The XLS is flatter and perhaps better for instruments and group vocals.

Shure has been a leading mic manufacturer since 1925, and when it comes to high-quality yet affordable microphones they are at the top of the list.

The Shure KSM44A is a high-end large diaphragm condenser mic with everything you’d expect from a mic at this price point. It has found its way into many producers’ and engineers’ mic lockers over the years.

It has cardioid, omni and figure-8 pickup patterns to allow you maximum flexibility in getting the best sound onto tape or your DAW.

The Rode NTK is a tube condenser mic that delivers a huge sound comparable to mics costing twice as much!

Tubes impart a smooth classic sound heard on many hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Matched with today’s technology, the NTK combines the best of old-school tube warmth with a clean transparent sound and wide dynamic range.

NOTE: Rode recently posted this announcement about purchasing from Amazon in the U.S.:

“RØDE Microphones does not authorize Fulfilled By Amazon. We have purchased counterfeit RØDE products using Fulfilled by Amazon and highly recommend that you only purchase RØDE products from authorized dealers.

If you purchase any RØDE microphone from an unauthorized dealer via Fulfilled By Amazon you will not receive any U.S. warranty or technical support.”

Doing a quick check, I see lots of authorized dealers on Amazon that include Sam Ash, Music 123, and GearNuts.

So, make sure you buy from dealers directly, not when it says “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. You’ll find other sellers than Amazon under the “New” section (ex: “9 New from $399.00”).

Please use this link to find authorized Rode dealers both online and for brick and mortar shops.

About The Author

Michael is a veteran award-winning composer, publisher, and producer. He is the owner of The Music Kitchen and Audio Addiction Music Library, a production music library with worldwide distribution. You can learn more about him on the About page.